Cheese Pot c. 1938

Editor: Here we have Frank Fumagalli's "Cheese Pot," a humble still life created around 1938 using watercolor and charcoal. There's something about its simplicity that's very appealing. How do you interpret this work, and what aspects stand out to you? Curator: Well, considering the context of 1938, during the tail end of the Great Depression, this cheese pot becomes more than just a simple vessel. It's an emblem of resourcefulness, of making do with what one has. Think about it—a focus on the everyday, on sustenance. How does its seeming plainness speak to societal values of that era? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered it in light of the Depression. The cheese pot feels like a stand-in for basic survival. Does the medium—charcoal and watercolor—contribute to that reading, do you think? Curator: Absolutely. The use of charcoal brings a sense of earthiness, of grit, reflecting the hardscrabble reality for many Americans. Watercolor, while delicate, allows for a muted palette, reinforcing a lack of ostentation or excess. The emphasis on craft can even hint at the role of women, and the home in maintaining the social fabric during times of economic hardship. Editor: It's amazing how much history can be contained in something so ordinary. Looking at it now, the holes around the pot seem almost like little windows into a past of hardship and resilience. Is it possible the artist chose the object specifically to convey these meanings? Curator: Possibly. Whether consciously or unconsciously, artists are often deeply connected to the pulse of their times. Everyday objects become vessels for cultural memory. Considering his biography may give us some additional insights here. What’s been most thought-provoking for you? Editor: I think realizing that even the simplest artwork can tell a powerful story about culture and resilience. It encourages me to look beyond the surface and ask deeper questions about context and meaning. Curator: Exactly. And remembering that these "simple" objects also reflect class, gender, and labor provides additional tools for analysis.